Report on the Sixth Pan Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning (PCF6)
24-28 November 2010 at Le-Meridien, Cochin Resort & Convention Centre (Kochi, Kerala), India
The Commonwealth of Learning's biennial Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning has
grown to become a leading international conference on learning and development. Jointly organized
by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) and Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
PCF6 brings the forum to India for the first time. The theme of PCF6 was: Access and Success in
Learning: Global Development Perspectives. The conference provided an opportunity to share
experience and expertise and to contribute to future policy and provision.
PCF6 as an international conference explored the contribution of open and distance learning to
international development goals by opening up access to learning at every level. The practitioners,
researchers, planners and policy makers in the fields of open and distance learning and development
from over 70 countries participated in the conference. Participants were from the main
Commonwealth, Asia and international institutions and agencies active in the field, including
funding bodies and technology providers.
In its efforts to provide quality learning materials
that reflect government’s educational policy, latest
pedagogical inputs, as well as learner needs, NIOS
has taken up the task of revising its Secondary level
course materials. In doing so NIOS has adopted a
new approach which focuses on integrating subject
knowledge with life skills. This has been done with
a view to empower learners with both the ability to
have sound subject proficiency as well as effective
life skills that would enable them to negotiate
vulnerable situations by making informed decisions.
This material was developed in year 2009-10 in
collaboration with MHRD and UNFPA in a project
mode to support the learners at secondary level.
As PCF6 was exclusively on open learning it was
decided to present the learning of this NIOSMHRD-UNFPA exercise. A brief report about the
conference is presented below.
AEP at NIOS booked a stall at the PCF6 to showcase the materials produced under the programme.
The stall showcased the print material, audio and video programmes and other advocacy materials.
Pledge Pole was an interactive method of introducing the concept of Life Skills. One of the most
popular activities in the exhibition, it helped in creating an enabling environment for the Panel
Discussion held on 27th November, 2010.
Panel Discussion
Integrating Life Skills in Secondary Curriculum of
National Institute of Open Schooling
Date and Time: November 27, 2010. 11.00 AM -12.30 PM
Life skills enhancement as an educational approach
o Concept and relevance in the current Indian context
o Rationale for integration in NIOS curriculum
Development of Life Skills Integrated Self Learning Materials
o Unique characteristics of the system and its learners
o Development Process of Self Learning Materials, including
Advocacy
o Specific examples from the life skills integrated materials on
learning objectives, content, and evaluation
Challenges and Way Forward
Questions and Discussion
Chair: Dr Jena, Chairman, NIOS
Speakers: Ms Asheema Singh, NIOS and Jaya, UNFPA
Discussant: Mr. Venkatesh Srinivasan, Assistant Representative, UNFPA
As part of AEP work plan NIOS was supposed to carryout sensitization and capacity building of the
officials of Regional Centers and State Open schools of the states in which the programme had been
carried out during 2010. Consequently Regional Director, Bhubaneswar and Secretary Rajasthan
State Open Schools accompanied. This programme was very beneficial for them.
Lessons Learnt:
The idea of utilizing ICT to reach out to young people because of their familiarity with ICT has
been a great learning lesson. The use of radio, website, SMS, and other such devices can be very
effectively used in reaching out to the target group of National Institute of Open Schooling. The
lesson learnt from Nambian College of Open Learning (NAMCOL) in terms of selecting topics for
production of Audio/Video Support programmes based on study conducted on the difficulty level of
the answer sheets shall be very valuable.
I Pledge to improve